The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Jude 1:20-23, “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith; praying in the Holy Spirit;

21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.

22 And have mercy on some, who are doubting;

23 save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.”

What do you do when you’re trapped in a corner? A local church, not far from where we live, discovered itself “trapped” when the local police arrested the pastor. It was news to the people that he had been in prison and had engaged in nefarious activities while maintaining his pastoral role.

In this instance, the police freed the church from one who had “sneaked in unawares.” Had the police not become aware of the pastor’s character, that church might still be trapped in the corner.

What would Jude tell them to do? He had a two-fold instruction.

First, take care of yourselves spiritually! You are loved of God, build upon that love by exercising greater faith in Him. Trust all the more in the LORD! Pray earnestly as the Holy Spirit prompts you.

I can remember times when my prayers just flowed out of me, as if I were not thinking of words at all. I have to believe it was Holy Spirit-directed prayer.

Then, guard yourselves in the love of God. His love is protecting love! Rose Marie’s illness has encouraged us to love the LORD more. We look to Him for the protection against life-threatening illnesses. The more severe the problem, the greater we look to His protecting love. We also wait anxiously for His mercy (eleeo). That Greek word (eleeo) is the word from which we get eleemosynary, meaning to pity, to take the hurt out. He is Coming Again! And when He comes, He will erase all the hurt in our lives. So powerful is His presence and His love!

Second, treat others mercifully and lovingly! Some people are confused. They have heard the true message of faith from true and faithful ministers. Yet, now they are hearing a different message; and it has left them tottering between the two. They’re not sure what the true message is. We are to save (sozo) them, snatching, draging them lovingly to safety from the eternal fires of Hell by reinstructing and reinstating them in the truth of the Word. Some will require intense bravery. We must hate and despize even the clothes that have been defiled through their use in sinful activities.

Think Christianity is an easy way of life? Hardly! But, look at the coming rewards! Gates of pearl; streets of gold; love beyond imagination! Review this letter again. Read it slowly. Think as you read.

Just see what it really means to be a Christian!

We love you immensely and pray for you earnestly,

Nana & Dado III

(Rose Marie & Gene)

P. S. The nuclear pictues of Rose Marie have all been taken, and the results sent to her

hematologist. A vascular surgeon will now evaluate them as to whether further

surgery is needed. We have an appointment with him next Monday morning.

Please pray for Dr. Russell Wood and for my sweet Rose Marie –oh, and for me!

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”